I like the phrase "using it."

Not much has gone right for the Mets in the last year but the Braves signing Glavine and thus giving them two high picks is certainly one thing that did go right.

Ha!

Outside of Larry Wayne Jones, almost nothing has gone right for the Braves this year. Pretty depressing so far.

Another thing that went right for the Braves was that Adam Laroche has continued to be mediocre or worse, thus validating that trade conclusively. Sure, that's just sour grapes, but as the fellow said, "It is not enough that I succeed. My enemies must fail."

I think it was a good trade, but it's not as though Mike Gonzalez and Brent Lillibridge have been big contributers thus far this season.

The Braves gambled on making one last run with older players, and it hasn't worked out. Everything that could go wrong has. Smoltz broke his shoulder. Glavine's body has finally fallen apart. Moylan, the top setup guy, blew out his elbow. Soriano, the closer, has missed most of the year with injury. Kotsay is hurt. Diaz, a very good spare part who was foolishly pressed into everyday duty, is hurt. Francoeur, an unusually stupid baseball player, has regressed to sub replacement level.

It's time to blow this up and rebuild. Teixeira isn't coming back. Trade him. Unfortunately the Braves have very few older players with value. Teixeira, Hudson (who I doubt they'd trade). Will Ohman could probably fetch something at the deadline. That's about it.

McCann, Johnson, Escobar, Hudson and Jurjjens is a pretty decent young core. Reyes looks like he could develop into a solid mid rotation guy. Soriano, when healthy, is one of the better relievers in the NL. With Schafer and Heyward rising, the farm is fine from a hitting standpoint. But, as usual with the Braves, there are no potential front line starters on the horizon.

The Braves seem unwilling to turn the page on their past glory. They've essentially been a .500 team for three years and very obviously won't be any better this year. It's time to let go.

The injuries are the fault of Jose Reyes and Lastings Milledge.

It's a wee bit early to write the obit of a team with a 115 OPS+, 108 ERA+ and a pythag record of 37-27. Granted, it's hard to see the pitching holding up.

But you're right that other than Teixeira, not a lot of pieces can be moved for anything of worth.

Aren't we just one step closer to the dream scenario of Maddux, Glavine & Smoltz all being inducted into the HOF together?

Hudson (who I doubt they'd trade).

I don't see any reason not to. They shouldn't be desperate to trade him, but I'd think a contender might give quite a haul for him. His contract is great, obviously. But that cuts two ways - it should net you more for him. I don't see the Braves being a great team next year, either.

Now the question; does Hudson have a no-trade?

Was he disappointed or devastated?

Aren't we just one step closer to the dream scenario of Maddux, Glavine & Smoltz all being inducted into the HOF together?

That would be cool, but I bet Smoltz finishes just short if he has to compete with the other two on the same ballot. Who else might retire after this year? Mussina? Frank Thomas? Trevor Hoffman? Is it possible Griffey and Pudge will retire? Randy Johnson? If Schilling calls it quits, is he considered retired this year or last year since he didn't play but he's under contract? Add in the probable holdovers like Bonds and Clemens and Bagwell, etc. and the ballot in 5 years is going to be loaded. Loaded, I tell ya!

I think Schilling is the guy that really needs to pitch another year. If he goes on with the bunch that may go on in 5 years, he'll be the odd man out.

Francoeur, an unusually stupid baseball player

I'm not sure why, but I really love this line. It sounds like something out of a demented children's story.

Hudson (who I doubt they'd trade).

I don't see any reason not to. They shouldn't be desperate to trade him

It depends on how they view 2009. They have a heck of a core in Chipper, McCann, Johnson and Escobar on the infield. If they think they can trade and spend their way into contention in 2009, then no way should they trade their one reliable starting pitcher.

But it looks like for 2009 they'll need at least two starting pitchers plus at least one, maybe two useful outfielders, and a first baseman. Tehy'll have a decent amount of cash to play with if they lose the contracts of Hampton, Smoltz, Glavine, Kotsay, and Teixeira, but they need to be willing to pay up for good players. Assuming such players are even available.

Yeah, I'm assuming they aren't willing to spend a lot of money. If they think themselves contenders in 2009 they need to spend money and, then, you're right, keep Hudson.

My guess is they keep Hudson and not sign any good players.

If they lose Smoltz, Glavine, Hampton, Kotsay, Gonzalez and Teixeira, that frees up almost $60m of payroll. There will be raises to players they keep but there are also likely increases in revenue. They should hav the cash to make some major moves, assuming there are good players out there to be acquired.

I am guessing they go after Sheets or CC with that money. Even if Schafer/Jones make it to the majors, they have holes in LF and 1B. esp 1B. What do you do there? Give Thorman another chance? Throw $ at Dunn, and hope to trade him later? throw $ at Tex?

"Another thing that went right for the Braves was that Adam Laroche has continued to be mediocre or worse, thus validating that trade conclusively."

Romak at A+ this year: .283/.370/.572 . (Fourth in the league in raw OPS).

He might end up being the best player in the whole trade.

That would be great - I remember looking back at Romak after the trade and thinking he was a better player than I ever gave him credit for. I hope he does well.

while Romak is doing well, he is now playing in a hitter's park as opposed to the death valleys in the Braves system. And I think, he is on the older side too.

"And I think, he is on the older side too."

22 in A+, and probably in line for a mid-season promotion (like the one he got last year).

He's not young for the league, but he's not really old for it, either.